eEMP® - Early Essential Movement Patterns Award

This is a practical course suitable for all Early Years Practitioners and Primary Schools Teachers. Learn how to develop the essential movement patterns that all children should experience to develop their brains, thus creating the foundation for all learning. Ideal for all Early Years settings,primary schools, community groups and especially young parents. Learn to engage the child in a range of fun, playful and creative floor based activities.

This new knowledge is based on the most recent discoveries in neuro-science. Creating new neurological connections in the brain gives the child secure foundations for all movement and learning. It gives many children a chance to ‘catch up’ with their peers physically, emotionally and cognitively and fulfil their potential.

Why Do We Need It?

A recent study by a physiotherapist in Derby City on 700, 7 year olds found that 83% failed to show 'milestones' for their age. (milestones = a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range.)

Do you have children like the one below in your care?

It is MOVEMENT that WIRES UP the brain

Outline

• The development of the brain is dependant on the quality of physical activity and movement in the first few months and years of life.
• To accomplish the basic task of 'wiring up' the brain and the body, five movement patterns should be learnt by children so they develop an understanding of opening and closing / top and bottom / front and back / left and right / both sides of the body working independently.
• There is substantial evidence that if a typically developing pre-school child performs all of these patterns they will be ready for formal learning and all that a school offers.

Although these skills are different and the mastery of one does not guarantee a similar mastery of another at the same stage, the importance of gaining an understanding of all seven senses, especially balance and proprioception will ensure children develop normally.

If Developmental Movement is not addressed at this point it will limit future potential learning.

Aims

• To help prepare teachers, and those involved in working with children 4 – 7 years old with knowledge and practical skills in SAQ® Early Essentiall Movement Patterns Training.
• To assist practitioners working with young children, so as to develop the five vital movement patterns.
• To provide knowledge of important issues that can affect children's early development.
• To introduce the eEMP® mat based movement patterns and show how a daily intervention programme can have a dramatic effect on children's movement skills, self-confidence, behaviour and other learning like improving hand writing.
• To demonstrate how the eEMP® programme can underpin all PE lessons and Dance lessons.
• To ensure that important safety points are considered when using the programme.

Assessment

• Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (open book)
• Video analysis of movement

Status

• Dyspraxia Foundationendorsed
• Special Olympics GB endorsed

Does It Work?

At Captain's Close Primary School in Leicestershire where the eEMP intervention has been used for the last two years, the progress of children in Foundation has been monitored closely. Children have shown significant improvements in academic ability, behaviour and physical prowess. The average EYFS scores for Physical development have increased from 3.2 to 4.2 and some individuals have made dramatic improvements form 1 to 7 and 8 by the end of the year.

Feedback

"The course was extremely thought provoking and inspiring. Teachers signed up for the course because they were aware of physical development issues with a number of children in their school – they left the course with simple but effective methods of how to address their children's needs and a desire to implement the eEMP Award as soon as possible." Colette Maynard. PE Adviser, Worcestershire 03/12/09

"Excellent award, would recommend to anyone working with children in early years" Nick Robb, PDM Nottingham City, (North) SSP 13/11/09

"The course has re-kindled my belief that many learning difficulties have underlying physical causes and has confirmed my own observations that these problems are shockingly on the increase! Action is needed! Thanks for an inspiring day." Delegate eEMP Award Nottingham 13-11-90

"Met my expectations fully and excellent feedback from all of my schools". Extended Schools Coordinator Leics 17/11/09

"A very thought provoking course, with resources that mean it can be implemented very easily" Delegate eEMP Award Great Malvern, Worcs 03/12/09